This Note explains what retrospective legislation is and provides some examples, in the context of the Mental Health (Approval Functions) Act 2012 and the Job-Seekers (Back to Work Schemes) Act 2013.

Standard Note 5256 Fast-track legislation examines the reasons for urgent legislation and new procedures which apply in the Lords when the Government wants to bring forward an expedited bill A Parliamentary Information List (Standard Note) 4974 provides a list of expedited bills since 1979.